U.S. to Retain Leadership Role at UN Cultural Agency

The United States has succeeded in its bid to remain on UNESCO's executive board, the only way to wield American power at the world's cultural and scientific agency now that the U.S. government is no longer funding it.

The victory follows a U.S. diplomatic charm offensive aimed at seeing off resistance to its re-election.

U.S. financing to UNESCO stopped in 2011 because it admitted Palestine as a member. U.S. law prohibits contributions to international organizations that recognize Palestinian statehood.

UNESCO diplomat Michael Worbs said that no other country submitted candidacy by a 9 a.m. (0800GMT) deadline Monday to challenge the U.S. seat.

That means there are six candidates for the six board seats assigned to Western Europe and North America — making Wednesday's vote on the re-election a formality.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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